Re: Now who do you think will win Worlds?

I think Fumie will be a close runner up, maybe right on Sasha's heels providing she skates well, but I think Sasha is the favoured skater at the moment with the judges - but then, who knows this is figure skating and anything can happen.

Re: Now who do you think will win Worlds?

<span style="color:teal;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:small;">Joe, considering the fact that Michelle has won 4 world titles and Irina only one, I don't know why you would make such a comment about Irina. It's like saying in advance that if she wins, she didn't deserve it. Unfair, my friend.</span>

Re: Now who do you think will win Worlds?

RG - You are right. But, I actually do think Irina could win and absolutely fairly if she skates clean because of the technical. (her presentation, for me, is fair to midlin). But, the skeptic that I am believes she will win even with presentation marks .1 point below Sasha and Michelle. So the two American standouts will have to do a triple axel to beat her. Presentation will not win on its own. (Maybe Sarah, though, if its fair judging.) We'll see. I'll be there to watch it live.

Re: Now who do you think will win Worlds?

I don't think Irina is ready for worlds, as evidenced by her performance @ Russian Nationals. If Victoria would have skated, I think Irina would have sat comfortably in 3rd place @ nationals. So, it a long-shot, but I see her as a bridesmaid once again this year.

Re: Now who do you think will win Worlds?

RG -I do not believe the scoring system in figure skating is 100 per cent virtuous.

Many posters have said that judges get tired of seeing the same old skaters; or that skater was due for gold; or they don't like so and so's behaviour or they are going to get even with the champ because the win was a fluke, etc.

As for Irina, even Maria B has said that Irina has been held up at Russian Nats and I believe once at Europeans.

I do regret mentioning the possibility of a payoff. Although that sort of thing could exist, I am sure it is the least of reasons for holding up a skater, particularly after SLC.

BTW, I could also write a similar note about Michelle. Imo, she too, has been held up at times but I think she has become less popular these days, and unless she demonstrates triple combos, her days of gold are just about over.

Presentation is the lesser of the marks. When Yoshie can get .2 point higher for technical and .l lower for presentation over Fumie (a much much better skater, imo) and win, what can I say?

I think Sasha Cohen is the skater of the moment but she is more of a "presentation" skater than a "technical skater".

I still pick Irina for the worlds. If enough Slavic judges are in the mix she has an excellent chance. This is a cultural thing -not a political thing. (But I won't eat my hat if she loses.)